Press release
It is with utter dismay and disappointment that the Management of ST Brikama Boyo confirms to you that the officials of the Independence Stadium refuse to grant our request to use the Independence Stadium pitch to stage the Dinding Mansa album launching concert on February 6th, 2021.
ST’s album launching is a regular fixture in the Calendar year, and for the past three years, the stadium has been the traditional venue. With that understanding, a 40% down payment was done about seven (7) months ago in anticipation of the event. Since then, considerable investment and resources went into the planning and organizing of the mega event with the Stadium pitch in mind.
To our shock and consternation, on the 15th January 2021, we received a letter from the Management of the Stadium under the stewardship of Mr. Ebou Faye, that we will no longer be allowed to use the venue for the show.
Given that the decision is coming barely a few weeks before the event and considering the huge amount of financial and logistical planning that has been made, we are now faced with an insurmountable challenge within a limited timeframe.
The main reason given was that the show may damage the pitch of the stadium. Whereas the reason may be plausible, ST and his management feel targeted and discriminated against because other artists and groups are being allowed to use the venue for similar purposes. A few weeks ago, the Nigerian artist Kiss Daniel had a concert at the stadium, and this week other major concert-like events with thousands of people expected to be in attendance have been lined up to take place at the same venue. In our case, we have even offered to work together with the Stadium management to put in place safeguards that would ensure the safety and protection of the facilities.
While we continue to engage the Independence Stadium and other government authorities like our line ministries – youths and tourism and culture, to find an amicable solution, the ST management is exploring all options, including legal action, to seek redress.
The ST brand is a national pride that epitomizes home-grown success. Through music and his foundation, he impacts the lives of several communities and individuals. Therefore, we solicit the support of all and sundry, especially the government which had granted him Cultural Ambassador status recently, to ensure the show goes ahead as planned.
Meanwhile, The Standard has repeatedly sought comments from the Stadium management without success. A senior official who spoke to us said he cannot comment on the issue.
